When summer comes around, many people look forward to traveling with their families. In many cases, the classic American road trip is the vacation that a lot of people get most excited about, since it can be an affordable and fun way to travel. However, if you’re preparing for a road trip or you just want to make sure your car is safe for the summer heat, you’re not alone.

Keep your car summer ready! Summer car maintenance is a little different than it is the rest of the year, so make sure you follow these tips to keep you and your family safe this season:

Check Your Spare Tire

One of the most common problems car owners have is pulling out their spare tire when they really need it, only to find that it won’t actually get them to the service station. While there isn’t exactly any length of time you should keep a spare tire before you discard it, you do need to make sure that it’s properly inflated and not cracked. Over time, heat will damage the spare tire and if you’re lucky enough to not have used it, count that as a blessing.

Get Coolant Levels Checked

Nothing is worse than a car that’s simply too hot to drive, especially on a road trip. Before you depart, make sure you have your coolant level checked by a professional. You’ll also want them to check your brake fluid, power steering fluid and your transmission.

Have Your Undercarriage Cleaned

If you live in an area with rain or snow, chances are the underside of your car is caked with salt, which can eat through that metal over time. Get your undercarriage cleaned once the rain and snow season ends to avoid long-term damage to your car and costly repair bills.

Have Periodic Maintenance Done

You should have a periodic check of the car’s air conditioning unit, the cooling system, engine performance, windshield wipers, lights, brakes and batteries in addition to keeping your emergency kit updated at all times.

Nancy Long is the Owner of A-Z Tech Automotive, a complete automotive repair company that offers convenient and high quality personalized automotive repair and service in Orange County. Long and the team are committed to safety first and are known for their outstanding workmanship, friendly and experienced staff, on-time delivery and excellent customer service, including a comprehensive solution for collision repair.

Certifications and Associations

A-Z Tech AutomotiveA-Z Tech Automotive is a complete automotive repair services shop that covers the full spectrum of automotive services for any model of car from domestics to imports, trucks, or SUVs.